New Downingtown trash collection begins January

DOWNINGTOWN – Borough residents will be adjusting to a “trash toter” system for 2013, which could incur additional fees if not followed.

For residents, all their trash must be placed in a borough-issued toter if they want it to be collected by the borough’s contracted waste hauler for 2013, Allied Waste of Brandywine. Any trash left out of the toter will not be collected.

According to Borough Manager Stephen Sullins, the administrative office has received various calls about whether one toter will be enough for larger families.

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A “toter” is a reusable plastic garbage container. They will be owned by the borough. They have been delivered to residents. Usage becomes mandatory Jan. 1.

“If you have a family of seven, you could very well overfill a trash can while recycling heavily,” said Councilman Nick Winkler, during the council’s last work session.

Sullins suggested that for families wishing for a second trash toter, an additional fee of $55 could be applied. While the borough would own the toters, residents would pay the fees. Council Vice President Brenda Brinton said that if residents generate more trash, they should pay for more trash.

“There are some families of six in the borough, but I think that $55, when looked at (the surrounding area), is fairly reasonable,” said Sullins.

Council members decided to defer action on amending the collection resolution until later this month.

“I think we need to let this change kind of happen a little bit,” said Brinton.

As of Jan.1, trash and recycling will be picked up on Tuesdays. However, if a holiday falls on a Monday or Tuesday, pick up will be on Wednesday. Such holidays for 2013 will include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

Residents should also be aware that construction material and tree branches will not be collected by the haulers. Beginning Jan. 24, computers, laptops, monitors, and televisions cannot be put out for trash collection, either. Allied Waste will also not accept appliances containing Freon, including refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioners that have not had the Freon properly removed prior to collection. Appliances must have a sticker attached as proof of proper Freon removal, and residents should contact Allied Waste, 610-869-2222, before putting out a stickered appliance.

Any residents with old trashcans can call the borough at 610-269-0344 to make an appointment to have them collected on Fridays throughout January.

Recycle bins are available at the Borough Administration Building, at 4 West Lancaster Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information on where to recycle electronics, call the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at 1-800-346-4242, or visit their website, www.depweb.state.pa.us.

For more information on Freon removal sites, call the Chester County Solid Waste Authority at 610-273-3771, or visit their website, www.chestercountyswa.org.